Conflicts & War

Explosions rock Khartoum despite extended truce

Khartoum, Apr 29 (EFE).- Gunfire and explosions rocked Khartoum on Saturday after a truce between Sudan’s warring military factions faltered and fighting entered a third week. EFE was able to ascertain on Saturday that the Sudanese capital was once again engulfed by fighting between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Clashes intensified around the perimeter of the Presidential Palace, which is the headquarters of Army leader Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

The premises, which are currently controlled by the army, have been the subject of dispute since the first day of the conflict on Apr.15.

While the RSF has claimed control of the palace on several occasions, Al Burhan’s forces have denied this.

Gunfire echoed across the once-bustling Al Setin street, in eastern Khartoum, while witnesses told EFE that army combat planes had been flying over and striking the eastern banks of the Nile River since the early hours.

Sources also told EFE that explosions were heard in the town of Omdurman, another flashpoint of fierce fighting near Khartoum where an RSF base is located.

Fierce fighting broke out in Sudan two weeks ago and despite a truce brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia to guarantee the evacuation of civilians to safe zones and to allow access to humanitarian aid, the ceasefire has faltered.

The entrenched rivals have accused each other of violating the truce, despite both the Army and RSF pledging their commitment on Saturday to end hostilities.

No previous ceasefire has stuck so far.

The army claims it will win the battle against the RSF “soon” given it has aircraft and a much larger arsenal of long-range weapons.

Al-Burhan loyalists have denounced that the RSF, a collective of militia, has entered densely populated urban areas and used civilians to avoid air strikes.

According to the Sudanese health ministry, at least 512 people have died and over 4,000 have been injured since fighting between Al Burhan and RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, began. EFE

az-se-cgs/ch

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